ZT0350 in S30V or ZDP-189?

M

MrSpiffdifilous

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Jul 13, 2011
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Knifecenter has the ZT0350 in both S30V and ZDP-189 steel. Theres also a composite model with both steels. $140 for the S30V, $208 for the ZDP, and $172 for the composite. What do you guys think? I'm looking for an EDC, that will see a fair amount of use. Mostly cardboard, 550 cord and other general stuff. Is the price difference between the S30C and ZDP really warranted? Will I actually notice the difference?
 
Yes and yes. You will get far more mileage in cardboard with the ZDP-189. Downside? The ZDP is far more likely to chip if you hit a staple than the S30V.
 
Better spend your money on the s30v then buy another 68$ fixed knife :D

I heard that ZDP steel are kind of chippy, I know the steel has great edge retention even better than s30v, but you better be toughly as "built like a tank" folder.
 
It should be noted that S30V can be chippy too. Are you dead set on the ZT0350?
 
Not so much dead set, I just like that style and the price range of that one. Eventually, when I have more money I plan on probably getting an 0301.
 
I talked with a guy today who was carrying a Delica in ZDP and he loved it. He had no complaints other than the fact that it's a bitch to sharpen.
 
i vote for the composite, even just for the "cool" factor. And i'll doubt you'll have to many problems with chipping if you're not throwing the knife at a tree or something.
 
fatherhudson said:
i vote for the composite, even just for the "cool" factor. And i'll doubt you'll have to many problems with chipping if you're not throwing the knife at a tree or something.
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I don't see myself throwing a folder. I'm actually going to wait a little longer on this purchase and hope that its available when funds are there. Unfortunately some unexpected bills came my way. :( no ZT for me right now. I did just buy a Kabar TDI to make myself feel a little better though.
 
I have a couple of knives in ZDP189 and I've never had any issues with them other than a bit of staining on the garden knife when it wasn't properly rinsed and dried after use. The steel has perfomed well in these small slicers (D4 and Caly 3). That said, I personally don't like ZDP189 in a blade that I expect to use for what I would consider "rugged" work like frequent cutting through hard or tough synthetic and natural materials. Reason is, anything that gets used gets dulled eventually. I prefer steels with moderate edge holding and moderate ease of resharpening. ZDP189 will eventually lose it's great edge and have to be resharpened. I don't want to have to have anything special to do it or have to dedicate more time to that knife because of the steel, even if it means I don't do it as often.
 
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